About Me
Who I Am: The Runner
My journey as a runner started in my early 40s – unfit and inactive, and wanting to make a change. A runner friend persuaded me to give parkrun a go and I duly turned up at the start line the following week. I huffed and puffed my way round, lay down at the end and swore I’d never run again.
Thankfully this sport has a way of getting hold of you and I was tying my laces again within days. Over the next couple of years, running became a bigger and biger part of my life. It gave me health, fitness, mental well-being, independence, confidence to explore new places, and a burning desire to see how far I could push myself. This desire saw me train hard and progress from struggling round parkrun to completing ultramarathons, as well as races of all types in between.
I have gone on to complete numerous ultras, including:
- Pennine Barrier (5th lady)
- Mid Wales 200 Miles (3rd Lady)
- RIDUM (3rd lady)
- Cheviot Goat
- Hardmoors 55
In the past couple of years, racing has had to take a back seat for me as I’ve worked to overcome 2 bone fractures. It’s been a hard journey back, which is still a work in progress, but I hope that it has helped me to understand the frustration of suffering an injury and how to stay focussed and positive during rehab. I’m delighted to have secured a place on the start line of the 2026 Montane Full Summer Spine, and so I’m well and truly focussed on getting myself to that wall in Kirk Yetholm right now!
Who I Am: The Coach
I love sharing knowledge, supporting others to reach their goals, encouraging them to dream big. I also love to thoroughly understand what I’m doing or teaching and why. These are the reasons that led me to qualify as a coach. I then went on to obtain other specialist qualifications and am constantly reading, listening, trying to further my knowledge and to pass this on to my clients. I love seeing clients grow in confidence and reach their goal, whatever that goal may be. I consider it an absolute priviledge to be part of their running journey.
I believe that:
- We all have the capacity to achieve far more than we think possible if we are willing to trust the process, train hard and push our perceived limits. I encourage you to dream big and work with you to get you where you need to be
- Everyone is unique and should be treated as such. My coaching is never ‘off the peg’: I will develop training and support that is specific to you as an athlete and person, and to your goals
- Running is a demanding, high-impact sport and Strength and Conditioning is vital to build strong, resilient runners. I include S&C in every plan, but I will always adapt this to suit your experience, needs and available equipment
- Relationship is key to a successful coaching partnership. Whilst most of my clients aren’t local to me, I’ll do all I can to make you feel as if you’re not on your own. I encourage lots of messaging via WhatsApp and Training Peaks and arrange regular check-in calls. I have a WhatsApp community for coached runners to share their questions and experiences and get to know each other, and I sometimes arrange social fell runs for those who are able to come
- I also offer the option for clients to pay for 1-2-1 or small group running sessions, which can be used for recceing, technique work or just a chance to get out on the hills
- The more you commit, the more support I can give you. I love to get lots of feedback, and I’m always happy to adapt your training, answer questions and develop resources as needed to help you grow as an athlete and reach your goals
Qualifications
Licenced Coach in Running Fitness (England Athletics)
Licenced Fell, Hill and Off-Road Running Leader (England Athletics)
Certified UESCA ultrarunning coach
Training Peaks Level 2 accredited coach
CIMSPA-accredited Strength and Conditioning Fundamentals Knowledge Specialist Award
Sports Physiology Level 3 Diploma with Distinction (endorsed by QLS)
Qualified Outdoor First Aider
Experience and Training
Active club coach to athletes of all abilities
Active club runner and ultrarunner
Runner with a passion for enabling others to experience the joy of their own running adventure
Fully Insured through England Athletics
Coaching Areas
Ultra running including multi-day events
5K to marathon for beginners, improvers and intermediate runners
Road, trail and fell running
Strength and Conditioning for runners
Over 40s runners